How Tom Maker Loads his Powered MK2 Fat Boy (missing images)

How Tom Loads His Barrow: A Real-World Setup for Any Session

We’ve all seen it – anglers struggling with an unbalanced barrow, wrestling it through the mud, kit falling off, and the front wheel barely touching the ground. But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Tom shows us how he loads his Carp Porter barrow efficiently – whether it’s a quick overnighter or a full week on the bank.

Step-by-Step: Tom’s Barrow Loadout

Tom starts with the big base bag on the bottom tray – this holds the bulk of his kit, including his stove, water bottle, power pack, and tripod. All the heavier items go in here to help centre the weight.

His bait buckets slot neatly into the Bucket Bracket. This is key: placing weight over the wheel gives you more control and less lifting strain. Removing the bucket from the main loading area also frees up a large amount of space.

Tom uses a Framed Carryall that sits neatly held in place by the feet slotting in between the frame right above the wheel. Not only does this help with balance, but it keeps essential gear easy to access without needing to unload everything

Next is the bedchair – a slightly awkward item, but once it’s in place, it forms a flat platform for the rest of the kit. His rolled-up bivvy goes right across the front, snugly locking in the layer beneath. On the rear: his cool bag (fully loaded with sweets – and cherry coke). Beside it: the unhooking mat, freshly dried after a good session.

He nestles his rod holdalls in the crevice created by the cool bag and unhooking mat, then slots his spod and marker rod setup beside them. The natural gap here provides a nook for the rods to sit in without any risk of falling off.

Everything gets strapped in over the top. It’s neat, balanced, and ready to roll.

Tom’s method is all about balance, organisation, and accessibility. By front-loading the weight and layering gear smartly, he avoids overloading or constantly rummaging. It also means he can stay mobile during his session – just strap it back up and wheel it round to a new swim if needed.

Tom’s Tip:
“Don’t overthink it – it’s all about keeping weight over the wheel, and making sure you know where everything is.”